throwback

1 of 2

noun

throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak 

1

: one that is suggestive of or suited to an earlier time or style

his manners were a throwback to a more polite era

2

a

: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism

b

: an instance or product of atavistic reversion

throw back

2 of 2

verb

threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back

transitive verb

1

: to delay the progress or advance of : check

2

: to cause to rely : make dependent

… they are thrown back upon … native intelligence …

—Michael Novak

3

: reflect

intransitive verb

: to revert to an earlier type or phase

Examples of throwback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Retro is special throwback shoebox packaging featuring Michael Jordan’s face which is rendered in blue rather than its typical silver look. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2026

This isn’t the first time Aguilera has embraced a sartorial throwback. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026

On paper, The Face of Horror sounds like an engaging melodrama throwback, giving its young talent the unique opportunity to take on classic material in a progressively modern cinematic landscape. — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

News of Saunders’ death was shared by his brother, Dean Saunders, who paid tribute to him on Instagram alongside a throwback photo of the siblings. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for throwback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

throwback

noun

throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak 

: something that has changed back to an earlier type or phase

Medical Definition

throwback

noun

throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak 

1

: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism

2

: an instance or product of atavistic reversion